04 September, 2013

The new VO frame is like a Campeur for folks who favor off road touring. It's not officially named yet, but it'll probably be called the "Camargue," after an ancient breed of French horse reputed to be especially rugged and intelligent.

Metal headbadge and bi-plane fork crown.

Here are the main points:

2.1" (55mm) tires fit with fenders, 2.3" (60mm) without.

700c wheels on sizes 62, 59, 56 and 26" wheels on 53, 50, 47.

Geometry is designed to handle like the much-praised Campeur. This frame is not suspension corrected, allowing us to better fine tune handling.

These photos are of two prototypes. The orange one is a 53cm, the green is a 59cm. We hope to have the production frames ready by mid-winter. We'll post photos of built-up bikes soon. This frame does not replace the Campeur, the frame which I would choose for primarily on-road touring. Rather, it is designed for bike-packing and serious off-road touring, and for those who just like big tires.

Unfortunately, the orange looks a lot better in photos than in person.

Oh wow! And just when I was all set to buy a Surly Ogre. The decision is much tougher now. That bike will build into a gorgeous retro MTB. Love the bi-plane fork - just like the early Stumpjumper! Well done, Chris. When do you expect to post a geo chart?

To the question of why I like internal hubs: they shift instantly and silently, whether pedaling, coasting, or standing still; need no finicky adjustment; always keep the chain in perfect alignment, and never jam. I have used an Alfine 8 for three years with no problems. The advantage to horizontal drop-outs is that chain tension can be easily adjusted.

Geometry charts will not be available until they go into production. This is because we may still make some changes and for "competitive reasons". But you'll get a pretty good idea of geometry as soon as I post the photos of built-up bikes.

The big tires and higher BB mean that we needed to use smaller wheels on the smaller sizes. We will also have smaller Campeur frames with 26" wheels.

The more I study this frame, the more I think you have created a real winner. This frame will suit everything from an urban fixie to a cross-country tourer. I especially like the fat-tire ability, high head tube, wide range of sizes, and horizontal drop-outs. But please reconsider the insipid color.

Mountain Tour, if I recall, was the name of a crappy brand of ATBs sold by now-defunct Canadian department store Eaton's. I would like to see the offerings from this new SF-based company. Do you have a link?M Burdge

That is one fantastic looking frame!!! Kudos to what looks to be a real winner.The headset spec makes solid sense in more ways than one.... a good decision. An impressive frameset that fits a developing - and underserved - niche in bicycle design. Impressive. Can't wait to see them available for purchase.

I am looking for a frame primarily for long distance road riding, commuting, maybe a longer brevet, and light weight road touring, but also want the ability to ride mixed surface routes and some bikepacking. Off-road use will be on fireroads and easier singletrack. Think White Rim or ACA Utah Cliffs Loop. Loaded weight will be pretty low, my base weight is around 15-20 pounds of gear (including bags and racks). Between road and dirt, road will be the primary use.

Based on these interests would you recommend this new frame or the Campeur?

It seems this new frame is more dirt first and road second, whereas the Campeur is the opposite. Both frames can ride either surface well but each is more oriented towards one versus the other?

PS, I love the green color and biplane fork! +1 on the red over orange; your red is really nice.

I've been pondering a low trail 650b dirt path racer, maybe 3 or 5 IGH, 2" tires, flat/swept bars, with a porteur rack. This Camargue looks more like a mid-trail(?) design and perhaps the slack head angle is less appropriate for front-only loads? For basic usage, I could settle for a rear rack if that's better for the Camargue. But if it's top tube length is based on drop bars, then perhaps swept/flat bars just wouldn't pencil out for a typical 59cm fit?

Chris, your comments above seem to point me in a different direction, yet your photos of the IGH and wacky flat bars tempt me to consider this frame based on my wants. Comments?

Looks like a great frame, some interesting ideas. I would make a few tweaks, not least of while would be 6mm bolts for the rack mounts. The 5 is derived from the original fenders. Racks went on with p clips, or something of the sort. However, it is unlikely anyone would thank you for the change.